Student Opportunities

You learn a language best by using it regularly, so we provide lots of opportunities for our students to practice their language skills, on and off campus.

Get Creative

Putting your language skills to creative use makes learning more fun. Check out our French students getting creative by performing “La Farce de Maître Pathelin,” a French play and celebrating with other modern language students during their annual Carnival each spring.

French Language Table

Each week the French Language Assistant hosts lively conversations in French over shared meals in Hamilton Commons, the primary dining commons on campus. Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 7 p.m., you can find the French Language Table in the glass corner of Hamilton Commons; Wednesday afternoons you can chat over un café in the library.

Foreign Film Series

The World Languages and Cultures Department sponsors a Foreign Film series every Monday evening during the regular semester. Each film is screened in its original language—French, German, Spanish or Chinese—and free popcorn is provided! Check out our Upcoming Events for the latest films!

French Club

The French Club is a group of Francophile students who bring cultural activities and events to the Alma college and surrounding community. Cheese and crêpe parties, trips to see performing French musicians, fairy tale skits presented to local high school students and participation in the spring Carnival celebration are among activities planned and hosted by the club.

On-Campus Employment

If you excel in your French studies, you may apply for a position as a tutor or student teaching assistant within the department. Tutors are matched with peers who have requested assistance through the Center for Student Opportunity. Student teaching assistants lead “TA Talks” for Beginning and Intermediate French classes.

Internships and Study Abroad

We encourage our students to study abroad during a fall or winter semester, during the summer or in the May Spring Term. Department-approved programs of study are located in Paris, Nantes, Angers, Rennes, Toulouse, Aix-en-Provence and Marseilles. Each program has a different emphasis, so it’s best to discuss your options with Dr. Pront.